A SUSPECTED sex offender is set to be extradited to Australia from his North home for offences he allegedly committed 40 years ago.

Geoffrey Woodward, 71, of Gateshead, will be flown to Australia after authorities secured an order.

The pensioner had fought against the extradition, claiming he couldn’t go due to his poor health. Woodward was locked up on remand for over three months while his extradition case went through the courts in London.

In Australia he will face charges relating to eight sex offences committed against a girl aged between the 11 and 13, allegedly carried out between 1973 and 1975.